Dad's the word

He is your first hero and your first best friend. When it comes to being there for you, Dad really is the word - and with Father's Day upon us, it's a great time to show him how much you appreciate him. Remember it's not about the amount of money you spend, but the amount of thought that you put into the present to make him feel special. One surefire way to do this is to ensure that whatever you do gift him must have some emotional connect and be specific to your dad's personality. Make it all about him and not a present that's trending on your social feed.
Here are some suggestions you may want to consider when planning the perfect gift for your dad.

All-the-favourites gift hamper
This one tops my list, as it involves a fair deal of thought and is packed with emotional value. Use your imagination and make it special by considering what your father enjoys or uses the most. You can load a USB with his favourite songs, get him his favourite cologne, shaving gel, cookie or even a Swiss knife, if he uses one. The list could go on. Do a little research and put together a hamper that he can use - one that clearly shows you pay attention to his preferences.

Personalisation is the way to go
From pens to organisers to tablets, you could consider an array of gifts that can be engraved with his name or a message from you. Personalisation services abound, with various stores in malls offering them - and there's something for every budget. This way, you're not only 'making it personal', but your dad is now more likely to treasure your gift because of the additional emotional value.

That daily cuppa
If your father is a coffee lover, then what better way to remind him of you every time he prepares his coffee than by getting him a good coffee machine. My father is a tea drinker, so I'm thinking of swapping the coffee machine for a year's supply of tea. It would be simple: I'd make a tea selection box with enough tea bags to last a few months - and ensure I include refills on the side for him to replenish the box when he's running low.

Bring back the memories
This particular present is packed with timeless emotional value. Deep-dive into your father's life journey - from his childhood till date - and try to collect as many special memories as you can to create this album. It doesn't have to record his individual journey alone - all the big family events can be part of the story too. If you want to go further, you can. It may require a bit more effort, but you can also ask close relatives and friends to say something about your father or share a memory that you can then add to the entire package.

To the rescue
This one is a more functional gift, but it's super useful: a wireless charger or personalised power bank for his daily on-the-go needs. Don't worry about it seeming too practical. Some dads would much prefer that! There's no one that would not find these useful in this day and age  - and your dad is no exception!
I hope these tips will help you in some way. The key is to make it all about him and his likes. Doing so means you're tailoring him a present no one else can buy.
wknd@khaleejtimes.com